by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

They competed against each other as coach and player. Now, Miami Heat President Pat Riley and Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge are going at it as executives of rival Eastern Conference teams.

In response to Ainge saying it was "almost embarrassing that LeBron (James) would complain about officiating," Riley, through the Heat's public relations department, released this statement:

"Danny Ainge needs to STFU and manage his own team. He was the biggest whiner going when he was a player. I know that because I coached against him."

Riley coached the Los Angeles Lakers when Ainge played for the Celtics during the heated rivalry between the two teams in the 1980s.

After the Chicago Bulls ended with Heat's 27-game winning streak Wednesday, James voiced his frustration at the pounding he has absorbed from opponents and the lack of fouls called by referees.

"It is getting to me a little bit," James said. "Every time I defend myself, I've got to face the consequences of a flagrant (foul) or technical foul or whatever the case may be.

"It's tough. It's very tough."

James, who was called for a flagrant foul late in the game, was especially unhappy with fouls committed by Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich and forward Taj Gibson.

When asked about James' comments the following day, Ainge told Boston radio station WEEI, "I don't think either one of those were flagrants, and I think the one - LeBron against Boozer - was flagrant, yes. I think the officials had it right. I think that it's almost embarrassing that LeBron would complain about officiating."

The defending champion Heat and Celtics have met in the playoffs the past two seasons - the Heat winning in five games in the second round in 2011 and the Heat winning in seven games in last season's conference finals.